COP30 climate talks deadlocked amid fossil fuel rift

Mark Poynting And

Georgina Rannard,Climate and science reporters in Belém, Brazil

EPA Indigenous people demonstrate. They are dressed in traditional clothing and are visibly angry. — Many delegates from indigenous groups attended the summit, but some say they are still not listened to

Fights over fossil fuels and currency appear to have bogged down COP30 climate talks as negotiations continue overnight with no sign of an agreement.

The talks were scheduled to wrap up at 18:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Friday, and with many delegates already leaving, time is running out to reach an agreement.

Host Brazil hoped the countries would agree on how to transition away from fossil fuels; However, the draft announced on Friday morning did not mention coal, oil and gas, whose emissions are the main cause of climate change.

This is unacceptable to a group of countries, including the UK, while some poorer countries want stronger commitments on cash to help them cope with rising temperatures.

A closing meeting – or “general meeting” – is currently scheduled for 11:00 local time (14:00 GMT).

All countries involved in these annual climate talks must agree to reach an agreement.

This can be challenging. Different nations have competing priorities, for example on issues such as their dependence on fossil fuels, their economic position or their vulnerability to climate change.

As a result, the conference often times out, sometimes for more than a day.

However, in order for decisions to be taken according to UN rules, two-thirds of the countries that are parties to the UN climate agreement must be present.

Given that many delegates will be leaving in the coming hours, time is running out for countries to reach an agreement.

Brazilian President Lula calls on countries to show more determination in negotiations

Shutterstock Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks at the opening of the COP30 conference. He wears a gray suit and a white, open-collared shirt. He has white hair and a beard. He raises his left hand while making his speech. Behind him are the UN and Brazilian flags. — Brazilian President Lula calls on countries to show more determination in negotiations

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wanted the talks to lead to clearer steps on how countries will move away from coal, oil and natural gas.

“The world needs a clear road map to end its dependence on fossil fuels,” he said in a statement before the talks.

This will advance the agreement reached at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates two years ago, when countries agreed on the need to “move away fossil fuels in their energy systems”.

The idea of a “road map” was supported by dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom, but was strongly opposed by oil-producing countries.

Some of these countries argue that they should be allowed to exploit fossil fuel reserves, as others have done in the past.

And they have called for a focus on reducing emissions rather than fossil fuels themselves, often through technologies such as carbon capture.

Many scientists have criticized this approach for failing to address the problem at its source.

Some developing countries did not support the fossil fuel agreement because they want richer nations to first provide money to help them adapt to the effects of climate change. Richer countries have historically under-delivered on these promises.

Poor countries have repeatedly called for more support, arguing that they face the worst effects of climate change even though they bear relatively little responsibility for rising temperatures.

The final version of the agreement, announced Friday morning, did not even mention fossil fuels, which are considered unacceptable by many countries.

On Friday, UK Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband said he was determined to keep the plan for a roadmap away from fossil fuels “alive” in “one way or another”.

Country representatives are in a negotiation room with journalists and observers waiting for news outside.

Tom Ingham/BBC Mr Miliband stands behind the security line with a crowd of journalists in suits. — Country representatives are in a negotiation room with journalists and observers waiting for news outside.

The draft agreement included a call to triple funding by 2030 to help countries adapt to climate change.

But it did not say whether this should come from the governments of richer nations or from other sources such as the private sector.

Brazil has come under scrutiny for its own plans despite its desire for a more ambitious fossil fuel deal.

Offshore oil and gas production is on track to increase until the early 2030s, according to analysis shared with the BBC by campaign group Global Witness.

The forecast is based on data from respected analyst Rystad Energy, which confirmed the figures.

However, President Lula He has repeatedly defended fossil fuel developmentargues that oil revenues could help finance a transition to cleaner energy in Brazil.

He also noted its record in reducing deforestation rates in the Amazon rainforest.

Ahead of the talks, President Lula launched a fund to prevent the loss of tropical forests around the world.

But getting nations to commit to the fund proved difficult.